Page 7 of His Regency Goddess (Curves & Cravats)

Chapter Seven

It was a beautiful day, yellow rays beamed through the fluffy clouds scattered across the blue sky. Margot had suggested they take tea outside and let her boys run around. And run around they did, as Sophie watched them zig and zag on their tiny toddler legs. They finally exhausted themselves and were napping on a blanket, which allowed Sophie and Margot to call for a fresh pot of tea they could drink before it got cold.

"No wonder you are in such a good shape," Sophie whispered, not wanting to wake them.

"You don't have to whisper, just not too loud, Soph," Margot said, one eye on her sleeping cherubs. "They do keep me trim, but I promised I would be a hands-on mother, unlike our own."

Sophie nodded with appreciation. Their mothers were friends, and both had parenting styles where children were not to be seen or heard. Thankfully, their nannies had become close friends as well, which allowed the girls much time spent together. Margot's mother was a tad warmer than her own and had at least allowed Margot to have a season. Sophie's parents did not want the fanfare and fuss that had come along with it. And her mother never failed to remind her she would never be an incomparable. The giddiness of the stolen almost-kiss last night left Sophie wondering what she had missed out on by not having a season. Living vicariously through Margot had been exciting but to feel that reckless feeling herself had been exhilarating. Not that it was so scandalous, she was a widow after all. Most widows enjoyed a little more freedom, depending on how much you cared for gossip and standing. Still, Sophie knew her parents would be horrified if she publicly shamed them by kissing a rake and allowing herself to be compromised.

Margot was watching her, waiting for her to bring up Sin. Sinclair. They had been distracted by the children but her grace period was now gone, and Margot was about to burst as she wriggled on the seat.

"I like him, Margot. I know you have taken an instant disliking to him and I am sure you have your reasons, but I am not an innocent virgin you need to protect. I am a mature widow." Sophie felt silly saying the last part out loud, and as soon as she locked eyes with Margot they burst out laughing before reminding each other to hush. Thankfully, the boys slept on.

"Soph, calling yourself a mature widow makes you sound our mothers’ age. Though I know what you mean. I want you to enjoy yourself, but I do not want to see you hurt. And yes, I do have my reasons to dislike Sinclair Montgomery," Margot confirmed in a haughty tone.

"And those reasons are?" Sophie enquired, raising one eyebrow in curiosity.

"Reason one. You have only known one man, your husband, who was a dreadful bore. I am afraid going straight from that to a reprobate will leave you well out of your depth. I am all for you finding a passionate dalliance, or something more like the marriage Daniel and I share. Sinclair is not a man for that, which leads me into reason two. His return means Daniel will spend time with him, and I do not want Sinclair leading Daniel back to his rakehell days which you know I whipped out of him."

"I sincerely doubt Daniel would ever step a toe over the line to cause you ire. But you are right about Sinclair. He is not in my league and I cannot compare to the beautiful, svelte women within the ton."

"Oh Soph, don't be dicked in the nob!"

The phrase took Sophie by such surprise she spilt her tea. Twice within two days she had spilt her drink upon herself. Margot handed her a napkin and composed herself while Sophie dabbed at the wet spot.

"Sorry for my outburst, Soph. But what you just said is not what I said in the slightest. And how can you think I would say such a thing? You, Sophie, are worth a thousand Sinclairs. And you, my dear Sophie, must stop comparing your own undeniable beauty to society’s ideal of the moment. It was not the thin, fair-haired women Sinclair could not keep his eyes off. It was you. Ginger-haired and curvy in all the best places! All I did mean was that your heart needs protecting. I do not see him as a man to settle down anytime soon."

Sophie went over to Margot and gave her a warm embrace.

"You are always my champion, Margot; I should not have assumed anything otherwise. But what if all I want is to experience passion and exploration? Maybe for now, just a tryst, to find out what I do and do not like. Once I have this experience, I can look for someone more compatible."

Margot did not seem convinced but did not argue her point any further.

"I will support your choices, of course. And if he puts those rakish lovemaking skills to use and I get to hear all the decadent details—that would be wonderful. But if he does break your heart, trust me when I say that I will knee him in the bollocks."

They shook hands on the plan, something they had always referred to as a gentleman’s agreement. Just when Sophie felt like she could sit back and serenely finish a cup of tea, one of the cherubs awoke.

"Bollocks," said Jasper, to Margot’s horror.

"If anyone asks, he heard that from Daniel."